System and method for using climate controlled spaces as energy storage units for “receiving” surplus energy and for “supplying” energy when needed

ABSTRACT

A method and system for managing an energy supply of a utility provider include calibrating one or more climate controlled spaces for a controller. The calibrating may include calculating a heating/cooling ratio for the one or more climate controlled spaces. After this calibration occurs, the system may determine if an energy supply surplus exists. If an energy supply surplus exists, then the system may start using the one or more climate controlled spaces as energy sinks for expending energy according to the heating/cooling ratio. The system may also determine if an energy supply deficit exists and if an energy supply deficit exists, then the system may start using the one or more climate controlled spaces as energy “sources,” in which a direct load control algorithm is used to reduce energy consumption by the one or more climate controlled spaces.

PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS STATEMENT

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 61/349,792 filed on May 28, 2010, entitled,“Variable Demand Resource to Balance Fluctuating Supply in an ElectricSupply and Distribution System,” the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Utility providers face the problem of satisfying consumer demand forelectrical energy during peak and off-peak demand periods. Totalelectrical energy demand may vary significantly between the peak andoff-peak demand periods. For example, energy demand typically peaks on ahot summer afternoon as a result of the widespread simultaneousoperation of air conditioning systems. And energy demand maysubsequently drop during the off-peak period of the late evening.

To accommodate very high peak demands, utility providers face options ofinvesting in additional power generating capacity, buying power fromother utilities having excess capacity, or using an electrical loadmanagement system to control the amount of electrical energy distributedover the electrical distribution network during peak energy demandperiods by electrical load reductions. Such load reductions are commonlyreferred to in the industry as load shedding. Load shedding is usuallythe more cost effective alternative to investing in expensive additionalpower generating capacity. Devices that are used to produce additionalpower generating capacity are often referred to in the industry as“peakers.”

As of this writing, many utility providers have turned to load sheddingas the most viable option to address very high peak demands instead ofpurchasing peakers. Load shedding usually comprises “direct loadcontrol” or demand response programs. Direct load control is a methodwhere utility providers may interrupt the loads of their consumersduring critical energy demand times.

In exchange for permitting this interruption during a direct loadcontrol event, the consumer generally receives direct payments from theutility provider. As one example of load shedding, a homeowner on adirect load control program may find his air conditioner periodicallyinterrupted on hot summer days by a switch operated remotely by theutility provider. In exchange for permitting this remote operation ofthe switch, the homeowner usually receives a payment from the utilityprovider.

This load cycling by the utility provider for a load control program mayreduce overall energy consumption when electricity demand is highest,thereby improving grid reliability and reducing energy costs for theutility provider. In addition to load shedding for addressing peakenergy demands, utility providers have been increasing the use ofalternate energy sources, such as solar power from photovoltaic cellsand solar power for steam-generation. Other alternate energy sourcesinclude wind energy from windmill powered turbines as well astraditional alternate energy sources like hydroelectric energy fromdams.

Because alternate energy sources like solar power and wind power mayproduce energy surplus on occasions due to their unpredictability,utility providers need ways to expend this additional energy efficientlyand without risking a disruption in energy service by shutting downcritical energy sources. For example, suppose that a utility providerhas a solar power source, a wind power source, and a nuclear powersource. When either the solar power source or wind power source generatea surplus amount of energy, the utility provider will likely not want toshut down or lower the production of the nuclear power source to offsetthis surplus in energy being produced by the solar power source or windpower source or both. The utility provider will not want to shut down orreduce energy production at the nuclear power plant in order to be readyfor when a demand in energy may peak suddenly.

Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method that may overcome theproblems associated with the excess energy production from alternateenergy sources like solar power and wind power, especially when theexcess energy is not needed immediately in an energy distributionsystem. Another need exists in the art for system that can overcome boththe problems associated with excess energy production as well as theproblems associated with peak demands for energy when extra energy isneeded in an energy distribution system.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A method and system for using climate controlled spaces as energystorage units for receiving surplus energy and for supplying energyduring load shed events are described. The method and system includecalibrating one or more climate controlled spaces for a controller. Thecalibrating may include calculating a heating/cooling ratio for the oneor more climate controlled spaces. After this calibration occurs, thesystem may determine if an energy supply surplus exists. If an energysupply surplus exists, then the system may start using the one or moreclimate controlled spaces as energy sinks for expending energy accordingto the heating/cooling ratio. The system may also determine if an energysupply deficit exists and if an energy supply deficit exists, then thesystem may start using the one or more climate controlled spaces asenergy “sources,” in which a direct load control algorithm is used toreduce energy consumption by the one or more climate controlled spaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughoutthe various views unless otherwise indicated. For reference numeralswith letter character designations such as “102A” or “102B”, the lettercharacter designations may differentiate two like parts or elementspresent in the same figure. Letter character designations for referencenumerals may be omitted when it is intended that a reference numeral toencompass all parts having the same reference numeral in all Figures.

FIG. 1A is a diagram of a system for using climate controlled spaces asenergy storage units for “receiving” surplus energy and for “supplying”energy during load shed events;

FIG. 1B is diagram of a central controller for a utility provider asillustrated in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a graph that includes a plot of thermal energy in equivalentKilowatt hours of the climate controlled space of FIG. 1A versus time;

FIG. 3 is a graph that includes a plot of temperature of a climatecontrolled space versus time during a summer season or tropical climatescenario that is used to calculate a heating/cooling ratio for theclimate controlled space of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for using one or moreclimate controlled spaces as energy storage units;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-method or routine of FIG. 4 forcalibrating a select number of climate controlled spaces;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-method or routine for using oneor more climate controlled spaces as energy sinks; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-method or routine for using oneor more climate controlled spaces as energy sources.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1A, this figure is a diagram of a system 101for using climate controlled spaces 27 as energy storage units for“receiving” surplus energy and for “supplying” energy during load shedevents. The system 101 may include a customer premise control system 10,a space conditioning load 24, a climate controlled space that comprisesa climate controlled space 27, a wireless communications tower 28, acommunications network 30, a controller 100A at a utility provider, anda personal computing device 100B.

Exemplary wireless communication networks that may employ wirelesscommunications towers 28 or wireless environments in general include,but are not limited to, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) networks,Home Area Networks (HANs), any combination of the above, and othersimilar wireless communication networks. Many of the system elementsillustrated in FIG. 1A are coupled via communications links 103A-D tothe communications network 30.

The links 103 illustrated in FIG. 1A may comprise wired or wirelesscommunication links. Wireless communication links include, but are notlimited to, radio-frequency (“RF”) links, infrared links, acousticlinks, and other wireless mediums. The communications network 30 maycomprise a wide area network (“WAN”), a local area network (“LAN”), theInternet, a Public Switched Telephony Network (“PSTN”), a power linescommunication (“PLC”) network, a paging network, or a combinationthereof. The communications network 30 may be established by broadcastRF transceiver towers 28. However, one of ordinary skill in the artrecognizes that other types of communication devices besides broadcastRF transceiver towers 28 are included within the scope of the system 101for establishing the communications network 30.

The controller 100A at the utility provider may comprise a computerserver that includes a central load control module 102. The central loadcontrol module 102 may comprise software or hardware (or both) asunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The central load controlmodule 102 may issue commands that include load control parameters whichare sent over the communications network 30 to the customer premisecontrol system 10. Such load control parameters may include, but are notlimited to, the total duration of a utility cycling control event and aduty cycle that defines the ratio of power removed from the spaceconditioning load 24 and power provided to the conditioning load 24 overa predefined period.

The central load control module 102 may calibrate a select number ofclimate controlled spaces 27 to use as energy storage units as will bedescribed in further detail below. The central load control module 102may determine if an energy surplus is currently available and if anenergy surplus is available, then the load control module 102 may use anumber of climate controlled spaces 27 as energy “sinks” to receive thesurplus energy. Meanwhile, if an energy demand exists, then the loadcontrol module 102 may use a number of climate controlled spaces 27 asindirect energy “suppliers” by using a direct load control algorithm asdescribed above for reducing energy demand. In this way, because theclimate controlled space(s) 27 may be used both as a “sink” and a“supply” for energy, the climate controlled space(s) 27 may becharacterized as a rechargeable “thermal battery.”

The central load control module 102 may transmit its commands over thecommunications network 30 as load control parameters. These exemplaryload control parameters as well as the main operation of the low controlmodule 102 will be discussed in further detail below in connection withFIG. 4.

The central controller 100A of the utility provider is also coupled toone or more regular and surplus energy sources 77. The one or moreregular and surplus energy sources 77 may include, but are not limitedto, nuclear power, wind power, solar power, geothermal power,hydroelectric power, and fossil fuelled power plants such as, but notlimited to, coal-fired power stations, renewable energy plants orbiomass-fuelled power plants, combined cycle plants, internal combustionreciprocating engine power plants, etc.

An energy distribution system 84 may be coupled to the regular andsurplus energy sources 77 and the switch 18. The energy distributionsystem 84 may comprise components for distributing and managingelectrical energy. In such an exemplary embodiment, the energydistribution system 84 may comprise a network that carries electricityfrom a transmission system and delivers it to consumers. Typically, thenetwork would include medium-voltage (less than 50 kV) power lines,electrical substations and pole-mounted transformers, low-voltage (lessthan 1 kV) distribution wiring and sometimes electricity meters.

The personal computing device 100B which is coupled to the communicationis network 30 may comprise a general purpose computer that may beoperated by a utility provider to issue commands directly to thecustomer premise control system 10. Alternatively, the personalcomputing device 100B may be operated by a utility provider for issuingcommands to the central controller 100A at the utility provider. In thisdescription, the personal computing device 100B may include a cellulartelephone, a pager, a portable digital assistant (“PDA”), a smartphone,a navigation device, a hand-held computer with a wireless connection orlink, a lap-top, a desk top, or any other similar computing device.

The customer premise control system 10 may comprise a transceiver 12, anantenna 26, a load control module 14, a switch 18, a thermostat andtemperature sensor 20, memory 16, and a display with a user interface22. The transceiver 12 may comprise a communication unit such as amodem, a network card, or any other type of coder/decoder (CODEC) forreceiving and sending load control signals to and from thecommunications network 30. In a wireless embodiment, the transceiver 12may further comprise a radiofrequency circuit for generatingradiofrequency communication signals which utilize the antenna 26 andthat establish the wireless communications link 103B with thecommunication network 30. In other embodiments, the transceiver 12 maybe coupled to the communications network 30 by a direct wiredcommunications link 103C.

While the elements of the customer premise control system 10 have beenillustrated as contained within a single rectangular dashed box, one ofordinary skill in the art recognizes that any of these elements for thecustomer premise control system 10 may employ various differentelectronic packaging schemes without departing from the scope of thesystem 10. That is, for example, the transceiver 12 may reside in adifferent physical housing relative to the load control module 14.

Similarly, the load control module 14 may reside in a housing which isseparate relative to the housing for the thermostat and temperaturesensor 20. And lastly, all of the elements of the customer premisecontrol system 10 may reside within a single housing without departingfrom the scope of the system 10.

The load control module 14 may comprise hardware or software or acombination thereof. The hardware may comprise a microprocessor runningvarious types of software. The hardware may include electronics, such asapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and the like. The loadcontrol module 14 receives and processes signals from the transceiver 12in order to control the switch 18 which supplies power to the spaceconditioning load 24.

The load control module 14 and switch 18 may form a unit that is madesimilarly to the switch described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,225 issued inthe name of Massara et al., the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference. The switch 18 is designed to control powersupplied to the space conditioning load 24.

The load control module 14 may comprise several timers: one for trackingload shed time; one for tracking load restore time; and one for trackingthe length of a utility cycling control event, as will be describedbelow.

A temperature delta value may be established relative to a current roomtemperature or relative to a temperature set point of the thermostat 20.One of ordinary skill the art recognizes that a temperature delta valuerelative to a current or absolute room temperature may be differentcompared to a set point of the thermostat 20. That is, one of ordinaryskill in the art recognizes that a temperature set point of a thermostat20 does not always reflect the current room temperature of a climatecontrolled space 26.

The transceiver 12 is coupled to the load control module 14. Thetransceiver 12 may relay the load control parameters 34 from thecontroller 32 at the utility provider to the load control module 14. Theload control module 14 may also transmit messages with the transceiver12 to the controller 32 at the utility provider as well as to thepersonal computing device 100B via the communications network 30.

The transceiver 12 and load control module 14 may be part of the deviceknown as a digital control unit (DCU) manufactured by Comverge, Inc. ADCU may be designed to be coupled outside of a dwelling near one or moreparts of an HVAC system, such as near the compressor of anair-conditioning unit. The DCU may be used for communication throughvarious channels including through wide area and local area networks 30.Another example of the load control module 14 is a computational devicelike a computer or dedicated processing unit that is coupled to thespace conditioning load 24.

The load control module 14 may be coupled to memory 16. The memory 16may comprise a volatile component or a non-volatile component, or acombination thereof. The non-volatile component may comprise read onlymemory (ROM). The ROM may store the operating system (OS) for the loadcontrol module 14 which may be executed by a central processing unitand/or firmware of the load control module 14 as understood by one ofordinary skill in the art.

The volatile component for the memory 16 of the customer premise controlsystem 10 may comprise random access memory (RAM). The volatile memorycomponent for the premise control system 10 may incorporate otherdifferent memory technologies, such as, but not limited to, erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM) or electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory andferroelectric random access memory (FRAM).

The memory 16 may store the instructions corresponding to the methodillustrated in FIG. 4. The memory 16 may also record events detected bythe load control module 14 such as, but not limited to, actions taken byload control module 14, data generated by the thermostat 20, such astimes between “on” and “off” cycles of a compressor or HVAC unit, loadcontrol parameters transmitted by the controller 100A at the utilityprovider, and commands issued by the personal computing device 100Bcoupled to the communications network 30.

The load control module 14 is also coupled to the thermostat 20. Thethermostat 20 may comprise a programmable or intelligent thermostat thatis usually positioned inside the climate controlled space 27. Exemplaryprogrammable or intelligent thermostats known as of this writing includethose manufactured by White Rogers or Honeywell. The temperature sensormay be implemented as a temperature measurement component, such as athermistor, which senses space temperatures and outputs temperaturesignals representing measured space temperatures within the climatecontrolled space 27. It is noted that the climate controlled space 27may also comprise a single room of a climate controlled space or aplurality of rooms forming a “zone” in the climate controlled space 27as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The thermostat and temperature sensor 20 may comprise a display having auser interface 22. Such a display having a user interface 22 maycomprise a touch screen display such as a touch screen display generatedby a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED)display. Instead of a touch screen display, the display may not supporttouch commands but may instead work with a separate physical userinterface such as a keypad, keyboard, and designated function buttons asunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The space conditioning load 24 is coupled to the switch 18 which is inturn coupled to the load control module 14. The space conditioning load24 may comprise a heating, ventilating, air-conditioning (HVAC) systemas understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. If the spaceconditioning load 24 is an air-conditioning system, the switch 18restores distribution of electrical power to the compressor of the spaceconditioning load 24. Alternatively, if the space conditioning load 24is a forced air heating system or a heat pump, the switch 18 restoreselectrical power to either the fan of a furnace or the compressor of aheat pump. The switch 18 may be controlled by the thermostat 20 and theload control module 14.

The climate controlled space 27 may comprise any type of room or volumewhich is fully closed off or partially closed off relative to theoutside. As noted above, the climate controlled space 27 may comprise asingle room or a plurality of rooms joined together by an airventilation system.

FIG. 1B is a diagram of the main components for an exemplary centralcontroller 100A at a utility provider illustrated in FIG. 1A. Theexemplary operating environment for the central controller 100A includesa general-purpose computing device in the form of a conventionalcomputer.

Generally, the computer forming the central controller 100A includes acentral processing unit 121, a system memory 122, and a system bus 123that couples various system components including the system memory 122to the processing unit 121.

The system bus 123 may be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memoryincludes a read-only memory (“ROM”) 124 and a random access memory(“RAM”) 125. A basic input/output system (“BIOS”) 126, containing thebasic routines that help to transfer information between elements withincomputer, such as during start-up, is stored in ROM 124.

The computer 100A may include a hard disk drive 127A for reading fromand writing to a hard disk, not shown, a USB port 128 for reading fromor writing to a removable USB drive 129, and an optical disk drive 130for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk 131 such as aCD-ROM, a DVD, or other optical media. Hard disk drive 127A, USB drive129, and optical disk drive 130 are connected to system bus 123 by ahard disk drive interface 132, a USB drive interface 133, and an opticaldisk drive interface 134, respectively.

Although the exemplary environment described herein employs hard disk127A, removable USB drive 129, and removable optical disk 131, it shouldbe appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that other types ofcomputer readable media which can store data that is accessible by acomputer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, and the like, may also be usedin the exemplary operating environment without departing from the scopeof the system 101. Such uses of other forms of computer readable mediabesides the hardware illustrated will be used in internet connecteddevices.

The drives and their associated computer readable media illustrated inFIG. 1B provide nonvolatile storage of computer-executable instructions,data structures, program modules, and other data for computer or clientdevice 100A. A number of program modules may be stored on hard disk 127,USB drive 129, optical disk 131, ROM 124, or RAM 125, including, but notlimited to, an operating system 135, the load control module 102, and acalibration module 405. Details about the load control module 102 willbe described below in connection with FIG. 4 while details about thecalibration module 405 will be described below in connection with FIG.5. Each program module include routines, sub-routines, programs,objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types.

A user may enter commands and information into the computer throughinput devices, such as a keyboard 140 and a pointing device 142.Pointing devices may include a mouse, a trackball, and an electronic penthat can be used in conjunction with an electronic tablet. Other inputdevices (not shown) may include a joystick, game pad, satellite dish,scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connectedto processing unit 121 through a serial port interface 146 that iscoupled to the system bus 123, but may be connected by other interfaces,such as a parallel port, game port, a universal serial bus (USB), or thelike.

The display 147 may also be connected to system bus 123 via aninterface, such as a video adapter 148. As noted above, the display 147can comprise any type of display devices such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a plasma display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)display, and a cathode ray tube (CRT) display.

A camera 175 may also be connected to system bus 123 via an interface,such as an adapter 170. The camera 175 may comprise a video camera. Thecamera 175 can be a CCD (charge-coupled device) camera or a CMOS(complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) camera. In addition to themonitor 147 and camera 175, the client device 100A, comprising acomputer, may include other peripheral output devices (not shown), suchas a printer.

The computer may also include a microphone 111 that is coupled to thesystem bus 123 via an audio processor 113 is understood by one ofordinary skill in the art. A microphone 111 may be used in combinationwith a voice recognition module (not illustrated) in order to processaudible commands received from an operator. A speaker 159 may beprovided which is coupled to a soundcard 157. The soundcard 157 may becoupled to the system bus 123.

The computer forming the central controller 100A may operate in anetworked environment using logical connections to one or more remotecomputers, such as a web server. A remote computer 100B may be anotherpersonal computer, a server, a mobile phone, a router, a networked PC, apeer device, or other common network node. While the web server or aremote computer 100B typically includes many or all of the elementsdescribed above relative to central controller 100A, only a memorystorage device 127B has been illustrated in this FIG. 1B. The logicalconnections depicted in FIG. 1B include a local area network (LAN) 30Aand a wide area network (WAN) 30B. Such networking environments arecommonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets,and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer forming thecentral controller 100A is often connected to the local area network 30Athrough a network interface or adapter 153. When used in a WANnetworking environment, the computer typically includes a modem 154 orother means for establishing communications over WAN 30B, such as theInternet. Modem 154, which may be internal or external, is connected tosystem bus 123 via serial port interface 146. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the server 100B, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device127A. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers may be used.

Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the system 101may be implemented in other computer system configurations, includinghand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor based orprogrammable consumer electronics, network personal computers,minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The system 101 mayalso be practiced in distributed computing environments, where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

FIG. 2 is a graph 200 that includes a plot of temperature (in degreesFahrenheit) and/or Kilowatt hours (Kw-h) that may be needed to changethe temperature of the climate controlled space 27 of FIG. 1A by someamount (Y-AXIS) versus time (X-AXIS). The graph 200 comprises a curve202 that tracks any surplus or deficit thermal energy in the climatecontrolled space 27 during a summer or tropical climate in which theoutside ambient temperature greatly exceeds the indoor temperature ofthe climate controlled space 27. As noted above, the climate controlledspace 27 may include a single room, a plurality of rooms, or a building,as illustrated in FIG. 1A.

A first control event may correspond between time zero (at the origin)to point 210. This first control event may include a direct controlevent in which the space conditioning load 24, such as anair-conditioner, is cycled off During this first control event, thetemperature within the climate controlled space 27 (and energy in Kw-hneeded to cool the space 27) usually increases in the absence of thespace conditioning load 24 running, such as an air conditioning unit.

A second control event (i.e. an air-conditioning event) start time whichcorresponds to point 210 on the curve 202 and the activation of anair-conditioning unit in an exemplary summer season or tropical climatescenario, the temperature (and energy in Kw-h needed to cool the space)generally decreases and is held level at the set point temperature onthe thermostat 20 is reached.

Curve 202 of graph 200 may generally correspond with a temperatureinside the climate controlled space 27 measured with the thermostat 20.The thermostat 20 may have thermal sensors for detecting the temperaturewithin the climate controlled space or room 27 as illustrated in FIG.1A.

After the second control event (i.e. an air-conditioning event) finishtime which generally corresponds to point 215 on curve 202 and the“turning-off” of an air-conditioning unit for the climate controlledspace 27 in an exemplary summer or tropical climate scenario, thetemperature may increase within the climate controlled space 27 whichcorresponds to an increase in Kilowatt-hours needed to cool the climatecontrol space 27.

This increased temperature corresponding to the increase in energy isdenoted as region 205 in graph 200. This region 205 in graph 200 willbecome the energy “source” for when the climate controlled space 27 isto be used for expending excess or surplus energy produced by theregular and/or surplus energy sources 77. As understood by one ofordinary skill in the art, the thermal profile illustrated with graph200 would be different for a winter or arctic climate heating scenarioin which thermal energy within the climate controlled space 27 wouldrapidly decrease after each control event. Each control event in awinter or arctic climate heating scenario would generally compriseactivation of a forced air heating system and/or electric heat pump. Insuch a winter or arctic climate heating scenario, the reduction ofthermal energy within the climate controlled space 27 would be used asthe energy “source” for when the climate controlled space is to be usedfor expending excess or surplus energy produced by the regular and/orsurplus energy sources 77.

Referring back to the exemplary summer season or tropical climatecooling scenario illustrated in FIG. 2, if the curve 202 representstemperature within the climate controlled space 27 of FIG. 1A, then theslope of the temperature rise is a function of the thermalcharacteristics of the climate controlled space 27 which may include,but are not limited to, at least the following factors: the amount ofinsulation used within the walls forming the climate controlled space27, and the number and placement of windows, especially those windowsfacing the sun. It is also noted at the end of the control eventcorresponding to point 215 on curve 202, the space conditioning load 24will work to overcome the energy deficit 205 while the spaceconditioning load 24 has been in an off state.

One key parameter that may be important to the system 101 is the slopeat which the temperature of the climate controlled space 27 returns tothe set point established with the thermostat 20. The slope of the curve202 after the control event start time corresponding to point 210 isgenerally a function of the size of the space conditioning load 24 inthe thermal characteristics of the climate controlled space 27.

The information required to compute the approximate magnitude andapproximate duration of an energy deficit resource corresponding toregion 205 of curve 202 is generally determined using the followingthree factors: 1) the thermostat set point; 2) the slope of the climatecontrolled space curve 202 when the space conditioning load 24 is shutoff; and 3) the slope of the cooling curve (corresponding to the regionafter the event start time point 210 of curve 202) when the spaceconditioning load attempts to restore the temperature of the climatecontrolled space 27 to the set point established with the thermostat 20.

These three factors are generally available from the thermostat 20 andhence an accurate estimate of the energy deficit magnitude and theduration that the deficit 205 of graph 200 can be computed using datatracked with the thermostat 20. The data tracked with the thermostat 20may be relayed to the central controller 100A at the utility providerover the communications network 30. Such relaying of data may besupported by any Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) networks, orother networks, such as, but not limited to, the Internet, directRF/Paging communications, etc., as understood by one of ordinary skillin the art.

FIG. 3 is a graph 300 that includes a plot of temperature of a climatecontrolled space 27 versus time in a summer season or tropical climatescenario that is used to calculate a heating/cooling (“H/C”) ratio forthe climate controlled space 27. Details of the graph 300 will bedescribed below in connection with this figure as well as in connectionwith FIG. 5 also described below.

If the set point for the thermostat 20 is assumed to be constant for theduration of a control event (i.e.—an air conditioning control event),then the ratio of the heating slope for temperature curve segment 305Ato the cooling slope of temperature curve segment 305B for climatecontrolled space 27 is a measure of the duration available for theenergy deficit 205 (of FIG. 2). If the slopes for the heating segment305A and the cooling segment 305B of graph 300 are equal, then for everyminute of control cycling off there is generally one minute of energydeficit that may be used selectively as an energy “sink” for anelectrical distribution system.

If the cooling curve slope for the second segment 305B is half as steepas the heating curve slope for the first segment 305A, then every minuteof cycling control may yield at least two minutes of availability forthe climate controlled space 27 to behave as an energy “sink” forelectrical energy. Usually, the second segment 305B comprising thecooling curve is less steep compared to the first segment 305A of graph300.

This calibration technique will work with a thermostat 20 but there isan alternate approach that may determine the ratio of the heating slopeto the cooling slope, either at the thermostat 20 or at a load controlswitch 18 mounted at the space conditioning load 24, such as at acompressor of an air conditioner. The load control switch 18 maydetermine the H/C ratio without any temperature data received from thethermostat 20 as will be described below.

The calibration technique requires that the switch 18 sense a requestfor cooling from the thermostat 20, even if the request from thethermostat 20 is overridden by a control event at the switch 18. Thesteps for determining the ratio of the heating slope to the coolingslope include the following:

The switch 18 usually must have the capability of sensing the state ofthe Y-line, whether the physical switch within the DCU is opened orclosed. An assumption is generally made that the thermostat 20 maintainsthe set point temperature in a relatively tight band. Any error inholding the set point temperature may lead to an inaccuracy in thecalculation of the ratio of the heating slope to the cooling slope forthe climate controlled space 27.

This testing of the switch 18 should usually be run during a summerseason or in a tropical climate when the space conditioning load 24,such as an air-conditioning unit, is likely to run. At the beginning ofthe test, the switch 18 is cycled in order to turn off a compressor ofan air-conditioning unit acting as the space conditioning load 24. Thecompressor is then allowed to remain off for some period of time. Forexample, the compressor may be allowed to remain in an off state for aduration that comprises one half hour.

After this one half hour period, control with the switch 18 is releasedto the thermostat 20 and this allows the space conditioning load 24,such as the compressor, to run, thus reducing the temperature in theclimate controlled space 27. The elapsed time when the Y-line indicatesthat the climate controlled space 27 has returned to the set pointtemperature by turning off the compressor is recorded.

The ratio of the elapsed time while the space conditioning load 24 wasallowed to run and cool the space 27 to the initial heating elapsed timewhen the space conditioning load 24 was held in an off state comprisesthe heating/cooling ratio (“H/C” ratio). The H/C ratio will allow thesystem 101, such as the central controller 100A, to calculate the energydeficit 205 as illustrated in graph 200 of FIG. 2. The energy deficit205 of the climate controlled space 27 may comprise a “sink” in whichexcess or surplus energy produced by the regular and or surplus energysources 77 is expended.

With this H/C ratio, the effective time that the central controller 100Aof the utility provider may rely on the energy deficit 205 presentwithin the climate controlled space 27 as an energy “sink” may betracked. So if the time that the space conditioning load 24 (that maycomprise a compressor) is held off by a control of them, the centralcontroller 100A may estimate the amount of time that the climatecontrolled space 27 may act as a “sinking” resource for the system 101.

For example, if the heating time is one hour and the cooling time forthe climate controlled space 27 is 1.75 hours, then the centralcontroller 100A may use the climate controlled space 27 as a sinkingresource for 1.75 minutes for each minute that the space conditioningload 24 is being controlled by the system 101. To a close approximation,the energy deficit 205 of the climate controlled space 27 will usuallyaccumulate for multiple off cycles during the course of an afternoonduring an exemplary summer season or tropical climate scenario in whichthe ambient temperature outside or external to the climate controlledspace 27 is generally higher and rises throughout daylight hours.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 for using one or moreclimate controlled spaces as energy storage units. Routine or sub-methodblock 405 is the first routine block of method 400. Routine block 405generally corresponds with the calibration submodule 405 illustrated inFIG. 1B as described above.

In routine block 405, a select number of climate controlled spaces 27may be calibrated for control with the central load control module 102of the controller 100A. The central load control module 102 may selectone or a plurality of climate controlled spaces 27 for calibration underthis routine 405. Routine block 405 generally corresponds with themethodology described above in connection with FIG. 3 and which will bedescribed in further detail below in connection with FIG. 5.

During this calibration routine block 405, the central load controlmodule 102 determines the heating/cooling (“H/C”) ratio for each climatecontrolled space 27. One of ordinary skill the art recognizes that thiscalibration routine block 405 should be executed over a full 24-hourwindow in order to determine the amount of thermal energy available witheach climate controlled space 27. It is recognized that the amount ofthermal energy may vary throughout the day due to thermalcharacteristics of the climate controlled space as well as the spaceconditioning load 24. The H/C ratio can also be used to “equalize” theeffects of cycling over a population of energy consumers controlled by autility provider. Lower H/C ratios may be cycled more so that allconsumers experience approximately the same temperature rise withintheir climate controlled spaces 27 during an exemplary summer season ortropical climate scenario.

For example, in a summer season or tropical climate scenario, for thosehours of the day in which sunlight is present, the amount of thermalenergy may be significantly higher and may increase rapidly compared tothe amount of thermal energy that may be measured during evening hoursin the absence of sunlight.

Therefore, for each major weather season experienced by a climatecontrolled space 27, the central load control module 102 shouldcalculate the H/C ratio for several segments throughout a twenty-fourhour period, such as a first segment for sunlight hours and a secondsegment for evening hours in the absence of sunlight. As understood byone of ordinary skill the art, the calibration routine 405 does not needto be executed continuously for a single 24-hour period. Instead, theload control module 102 of the central controller 100A may perform adaylight calibration for a few hours on a first day and an eveningcalibration for a few hours in an evening on a second day. Also,calibration may vary with outside/external temperature and the amount ofsolar energy generated by sunshine. Calibration runs can be made forrepresentative days and one or more closest values may be selected for aparticular event day and time.

After the calibration routine block 405, the method 400 proceeds todecision block 410. In decision block 410, the central load controlmodule 102 may determine if the system 101, and particularly, theregular and/or surplus energy resources 77, are experiencing an energysurplus event. If the inquiry to decision block 410 is negative, thenthe “NO” branch is followed to decision block 420. If the inquiry todecision block 410 is positive, then the “YES” branch is followed toroutine block 415.

In routine block 415, the central load control module 102 may use theclimate controlled spaces 27 selected in calibration routine block 405as energy “sinks” for expending or receiving excess or surplus energybeing produced by the system 101, and particularly energy resources 77.This energy sink routine 415 is helpful for surplus energy resources 77such as for solar power plants during the day when such plants mayproduce an abundance or excess amount of energy that exceeds energyproduction plans for the system 101. Similarly, this energy sink routine415 may be helpful for wind power plants during evening hours when suchplants typically produce excess energy or more energy than is plannedfor the system 101. Further details of routine block 415 will bedescribed below in connection with FIG. 6.

Next, in decision block 420, the central load control module 102determines if an energy deficit event is being experienced by the system101. If the inquiry to decision block 420 is negative, then the “NO”branch is followed back to decision block 410. If the inquiry todecision block 420 is positive, then the “YES” branch is followed toroutine block 425.

In routine block 425, a sub-method for using the climate controlledspaces 27 selected in calibration routine block 405 as energy “sources”during load shed events is initiated. In this routine block 425, thecentral load control module 102 may start a direct load control event asdescribed above in which the switch 18 of the customer premise controlsystem 10 is cycled off in order to turn off the space conditioning load24, such as an air conditioner during an exemplary summer season ortropical climate described above. Further details of this load shouldroutine block 425 will be described below in connection with FIG. 7. Themethod 400 then returns back to decision block 410.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-method or routine 405 of FIG. 4for calibrating a select number climate controlled spaces 27 for controlwith the central load control module 102 and/or local control module 14.As noted previously, the number of climate controlled spaces 27 maycomprise one or a plurality of spaces 27.

References will be made to FIG. 5 as well as FIG. 3 mentioned above. Atblock 505 is the first step of the calibration routine 405. In block505, the central load control module 102 or a local load control module14 of the customer premise control system 10 may determine when thethermostat 20 stops requesting changes to the thermal condition of theclimate controlled space 27. Block 505 generally corresponds to thestart point 310 on temperature curve 305 of the time period t0 along theX-Axis as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Next, in block 510, the central load control module 102 or the localload control module 14 may determine when the thermostat 20 requests thenext change to the thermal condition of the climate controlled space 27.In a summer season or tropical climate scenario, this block 510 willgenerally correspond when the thermostat 20 issues a command to thespace conditioning load 24 to start a cooling operation for the climatecontrolled space 27. Block 510 generally corresponds to point 315 on thetemperature curve 305 of FIG. 3. Point 315 on the temperature curve 305also corresponds to the endpoint for the time period t0 as illustratedalong the X-axis of FIG. 3.

Subsequently, in block 515, the central load control module 102 or thelocal load control module 14 may ignore the request issued by thethermostat 20 in block 510 and hold the space conditioning load 24 in anoff-state for a predetermined period of time. This block 515 generallycorresponds to point 315 of FIG. 3 which is also the start point for thetime period t1 as illustrated along the X-axis of FIG. 3. While apredetermined period of time may be used to manage this off-state, atemperature threshold may also be used in combination with the timeperiod if the temperature threshold is reached prior to the expirationof the selected predetermined period of time. This temperature thresholdwould only be applicable in those exemplary embodiments in whichcommunication and/or control exists with the thermostat 20.

In an example in which communication and/or control exists with athermostat 20, suppose the selected predetermined period of timecomprises a magnitude of one hour. Meanwhile, the resident of theclimate controlled space 27 has indicated that he or she is willing totolerate a four degree shift in temperature above the set pointtemperature of the thermostat 20 before he or she would like the spaceconditioning load 24 to be activated. This means that if the resident ofthe climate controlled space 27 selected a set point temperature of 72°F., then the maximum allowed temperature for the off-state duringcalibration would be 76° F.

So if the temperature of the climate controlled space 27 reached 76° F.prior to the expiration of the one hour selected time period for thecalibration, then the local load control module 14 or the central loadcontrol module 102 may allow the switch 18 to activate the spaceconditioning load 24. The local load control module 14 or the centralload control module 102 would then record the period of time that wasless than the selected one-hour duration. However, in those exemplaryembodiments in which no communication and/or control exists with thethermostats 20, tolerance limits will be approximated by the utilityprovider and no direct control with respect to tolerance limits willexist for the consumer.

Next, in block 520, assuming that the temperature threshold selected bythe resident of the climate controlled space 27 was not reached in thoseexemplary embodiments in which communication and/or control exists witha thermostat 20, then after the predetermined period of time selected inblock 515, the central load control module 102 or the local load controlmodule 14 would allow the space conditioning load 24 to run in order tochange the thermal condition of the climate controlled space 27. Thisblock 520 generally corresponds with point 320 on the temperature curve305 of FIG. 3. Point 320 also corresponds with the end of the timeperiod t1 and with the start of the time period t2 as illustrated alongthe X-axis of FIG. 3. Block 520 also generally corresponds with thecondition described in connection with block 515 when the temperaturethreshold selected by the resident of the climate controlled space 27has been reached.

Next, in block 525, the instant in time when the thermostat 20 stopsrequesting changes to the thermal condition of the climate controlledspace 27 is recorded by the local load control module 14. This block 525generally corresponds with the endpoint 325 of temperature curve 305 fortime period t2 along the X-axis as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Subsequently, in block 530, the local load control module 14 and/or thecentral load control module 102 may calculate the heating/cooling(“H/C”) ratio for the climate controlled space 27. This calculation willallow the local load control module 14 and/or the central load controlmodule 102 to utilize the climate controlled space 27 as an energy“sink.” The H/C ratio may be governed by the following equation:H/C ratio=(t0+t1)/t2  EQ1:

wherein t0 is a time period between when a set point temperature isreached (point 310 of temperature curve 305 of FIG. 3) and when athermostat issues a request to a space conditioning load (point 315 oftemperature curve 305), t1 is a time period between when the thermostatissues a request to the space conditioning load (point 315 oftemperature curve 305) and when the space conditioning load is allowedto be activated (point 320 of temperature curve 305), and t2 is the timeperiod between when the space conditioning load is allowed to beactivated (point 320 of temperature curve 305) and when the spaceconditioning load is stopped once it reaches a set point temperature ofthe thermostat (point 325 of temperature curve 305).

As noted above, for each major weather season experienced by a climatecontrolled space 27, the central load control module 102 or localcontrol module 14 should calculate the H/C ratio for several segmentsthroughout a twenty-four hour period, such as a first segment forsunlight hours and a second segment for evening hours in the absence ofsunlight. As understood by one of ordinary skill the art, thecalibration routine 405 does not need to be executed continuously for asingle 24-hour period. Instead, the load control module 102 of thecentral controller 100A may perform a daylight calibration for a fewhours on a first day and an evening calibration for a few hours in anevening on a second day. The H/C ratio may be calculated using thethermostat 20 or by using the switch 18 alone.

As noted previously, in some exemplary embodiments, the central loadcontrol module 102 or the local control module 14, which are usuallyinstalled external to the space 27 by the utility provider, may not haveaccess to temperature data produced by the thermostat 20. To calculatethe H/C ratio without the thermostat 20, the switch 18 may monitor whenthe thermostat has shut-off a space conditioning load 24, like anair-conditioner such as indicated by point 310 on graph 300 of FIG. 3.Next, the switch 18 and/or the load control module 14 may monitor whenthe thermostat 20 issues a command, at point 315 of graph 300, to turn“on” the space conditioning load 24. The switch 18 or load controlmodule 14 may ignore this command from the thermostat 20 for a period oftime (t1 of graph 300) until point 320 of graph 300. At point 320, theswitch 18 or module 14 may allow the command from the thermostat 20 toturn-on the space conditioning load 24. The switch 18 or module 14 maythen monitor the time (time period t2 of graph 300) when the thermostat20 issues the command to turn-off the space conditioning load 24 whenthe thermostat set point temperature has been reached. From these threetime periods, the switch 18 or module 14 may calculate the H/C ratiowithout having access to the temperature data and/or control of thethermostat 20.

For a large population of climate control spaces 27, a sample of thepopulation may be used to compute an average H/C ratio which would thenbe used to approximate the performance of the population. The H/C ratiomay be used in conjunction with the switches 18 to equalize thetemperature rise within a plurality of climate controlled spaces 27forming a statistical population.

Also, the H/C ratios for different day segments and for differenttimes/seasons of the year may be stored locally within memory 16 of thecustomer premise equipment 10. And an index may be sent from the centralload control module 102 over the communications network 30 thatinstructs the load control module 14 or switch 18 to pull a particularH/C ratio from the local memory 16. Alternatively, all of the H/C ratiosmay be stored centrally within the controller 100A of the utilityprovider which are accessible by the central load control module 102.The local load control module 14 or switch 18 may calculate each H/Cratio and then send it over the communications network 30 to the centralload control module 102. The central load control module 102 may thenmodify each H/C ratio and return the ratio to memory 16 of the customerpremise equipment 10.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-method or routine 415 for usingone or more customer buildings as energy sinks. This routine 415corresponds with routine 415 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Block 605 is thefirst step of routine 415.

In block 605, the central load control module 102 or the local loadcontrol module 14 allow an energy deficit, such as energy deficit 205 asillustrated in FIG. 2, to be accumulated within the one or more climatecontrolled spaces 27 and within tolerance limits that may comprise thetemperature delta established by the resident or the utility provider.The central load control module 102 or the local load control module 14will build up this energy deficit 205 in each climate controlled space27 in accordance with the heating/cooling ratio calculated incalibration routine 405 described above.

This energy deficit 205 for each climate controlled space 27 may beunique due to the thermal characteristics of each space 27. For a largepopulation of spaces 27, a sample of the population may be used tocompute an average H/C ratio which would then be used to approximate theperformance of the population. Block 605 also generally corresponds topoint 315 of FIG. 3 in which the local control module 14 is instructedto ignore any space conditioning requests issued by the thermostat 20.

For example, the thermostat 20 may issue a request to turn-on the spaceconditioning load 24 comprising an air conditioner in order to cool theclimate controlled space 27 because the set point temperature of thethermostat 20 has been exceeded. In block 605, the central load controlmodule 102 has issued commands to the local control modules 14 tooverride or have the requests issued by the thermostats 20 be ignored sothat the space conditioning load 24 remains in an off-state in order togenerate an energy deficit such as deficit 205 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

As noted above, while the local load control modules 14 may allow anenergy deficit 205 to be accumulated within the climate controlled space27, the load control modules 14 may not allow the energy deficit 205 tobecome a magnitude such that it exceeds the temperature delta ortolerance limit established by either the resident or the utilityprovider in those exemplary embodiments in which the utility providerhas access to the thermostat 20.

As discussed in a previous example, a set point temperature may comprise72° F. while the temperature delta above the set point may beestablished at 4° F. so that control of the space conditioning load 24from the central load control module 102 or local control module 14 maybe overridden (stopped) if the temperature measured by the thermostatmeasures or exceeds the temperature of 76° F. (a.k.a. the tolerancelimit). However, in some exemplary embodiments, utility providers andcorresponding central controllers 100A may not have access tothermostats 20. In these exemplary embodiments in which no communicationand/or control exists with the thermostats 20, tolerance limits will beapproximated by the utility provider and no direct control with respectto tolerance limits will exist for the consumer.

Next, in block 610, at the start of an energy surplus event and duringan energy surplus event, the central load control module 102 and/or thelocal load control module 14 may allow the space conditioning loads 24to run more aggressively (without any load shedding) and to reach atemperature outside of an established thermostat set point and withintolerance limits selected by the resident or utility provider. Thetemperature selected by the central load control module 102 and/or thelocal load control module 14 may be unique for each climate controlledspace 27 and is made based on the heating/cooling ration calculated forthe climate controlled space 27. One of ordinary skill in the artrecognizes that each heating/cooling ratio may be unique for eachclimate controlled space 27 due to the unique thermal characteristicsfor each space 27.

This block 610 generally corresponds to point 320 and the coolingsegment 305B of the graph 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3. While theendpoint 325 of graph 300 is shown to be equal to the set pointtemperature, this block 610 may allow the space conditioning load 24 togo beyond (in this cooling case, below) the set point temperature of thethermostat 20 up to a lower threshold that may be established by theresident and/or utility provider.

For example, a resident and/or utility provider may establish atemperature delta of 3° F. as the low point for a tolerance limit inwhich the space conditioning load 24 may reach during an energy surplusevent. This means, that if the temperature set point for the thermostat20 is 72° F., then the space conditioning load 24 may be allowed to coolthe climate controlled space 27 to a low temperature of 69° F. As notedabove, the resident and/or utility provider may establish a temperaturedelta of 4° F. as the high point for a tolerance limit when the climatecontrolled space 27 is allowed to “heat up” in order to create theenergy deficit 205.

One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that the temperature deltaabove and below the temperature set point of the thermostat 20 may beequal in magnitude or they may be set to be different in magnitude.These temperature deltas above and below the temperature set point ofthe thermostat 20 are generally referenced as the tolerance limitsillustrated in the flow charts of this specification.

Referring back to FIG. 6, in block 615, the central load control module102 and/or local load control module 14 may stop the space conditioningload(s) 24 when they have reached a temperature that is outside of theestablished thermostat set point (but not greater than the tolerancelimits set by the resident or utility provider) or when the energyduring the energy surplus event has been depleted/expended. The centralload control module 102 may determine when the energy during the energysurplus event has been depleted/expended. The method 400 then returns todecision block 420 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a sub-method or routine 425 for usingone or more climate controlled spaces 27 as energy “sources” during highenergy or peak demands. Routine 425 of FIG. 7 corresponds with routine425 of FIG. 4.

Block 705 is the first step of routine 425. In block 705, during anenergy deficit or load shedding event, the central load control module102 and/or local load control module 14 allows space conditioning loads24 to run less aggressively while under load shedding control and toonly reach temperatures established by the thermostat temperature setpoint. Block 705 generally corresponds with a direct load control eventas described above. During such an event, the climate controlled spaces27 act as indirect “sources” of energy from a perspective that a reducedamount of energy is now needed or permitted to change the temperature ofthe climate controlled spaces 27 when the switches 18 are under directload control from the local load control module 14 and/or central loadcontrol module 102.

Next, in block 710, the central load control module 102 and/or loadcontrol module 14 stop or cease any direct load control of the switches18 when the energy deficit period is over. The method 400 then returnsto decision block 410 of FIG. 4.

The word “exemplary” is used in this description to mean “serving as anexample, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects.

In this description, the term “application” may also include fileshaving executable content, such as: object code, scripts, byte code,markup language files, and patches. In addition, an “application”referred to herein, may also include files that are not executable innature, such as documents that may need to be opened or other data filesthat need to be accessed.

The term “content” may also include files having executable content,such as: object code, scripts, byte code, markup language files, andpatches. In addition, “content” referred to herein, may also includefiles that are not executable in nature, such as documents that may needto be opened or other data files that need to be accessed.

As used in this description, the terms “component,” “database,”“module,” “system,” and the like are intended to refer to acomputer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination ofhardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example,a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on aprocessor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both anapplication running on a computing device and the computing device maybe a component. One or more components may reside within a processand/or thread of execution, and a component may be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition,these components may execute from various computer readable media havingvarious data structures stored thereon. The components may communicateby way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with asignal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systemsby way of the signal).

Further, certain steps in the processes or process flows described inthis specification naturally precede others for the invention tofunction as described. However, the invention is not limited to theorder of the steps described if such order or sequence does not alterthe functionality of the invention. That is, it is recognized that somesteps may performed before, after, or parallel (substantiallysimultaneously with) other steps without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention. In some instances, certain steps may be omittedor not performed without departing from the invention. Further, wordssuch as “thereafter”, “then”, “next”, etc. are not intended to limit theorder of the steps. These words are simply used to guide the readerthrough the description of the exemplary method.

Additionally, one of ordinary skill in programming is able to writecomputer code or identify appropriate hardware and/or circuits toimplement the disclosed invention without difficulty based on the flowcharts and associated description in this specification, for example.

Therefore, disclosure of a particular set of program code instructionsor detailed hardware devices is not considered necessary for an adequateunderstanding of how to make and use the invention. The inventivefunctionality of the claimed computer implemented processes is explainedin more detail in the above description and in conjunction with theFigures which may illustrate various process flows.

In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted as one or more instructions or code on a tangiblecomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include both tangiblecomputer storage media and tangible communication media including anytangible medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from oneplace to another. A tangible computer storage media may be any availabletangible media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example,and not limitation, such tangible computer-readable media may compriseRAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other tangible mediumthat may be used to carry or store desired program code in the form ofinstructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer.

Also, any connection is properly termed a tangible computer-readablemedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (“DSL”), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, and DSL are included in the definition ofmedium.

Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (“CD”), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (“DVD”), floppy disk and blu-raydisc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discsreproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above shouldalso be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Although selected aspects have been illustrated and described in detail,it will be understood that various substitutions and alterations may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing an energy supply of autility provider, comprising: calibrating one or more climate controlledspaces for a controller by calculating a heating or cooling ratio forthe one or more climate controlled spaces; determining if an energysupply surplus exists within a utility system; if an energy supplysurplus exists, then start using the one or more climate controlledspaces as energy sinks for expending energy according to theheating/cooling ratio; determining if an energy supply deficit exists;and if an energy supply deficit exists, then start using the one or moreclimate controlled spaces as energy sources in which a direct loadcontrol algorithm is used to reduce consumption of energy, wherein theheating or cooling (H or C) ratio is governed by the following equation:H or C ratio=(t0+t1)/t2 wherein t0 is a time period between when a setpoint temperature is reached and when a thermostat issues a request to aspace conditioning load, t1 is a time period between when the thermostatissues a request to the space conditioning load and when the spaceconditioning load is allowed to be activated, and t2 is a time periodbetween when the space conditioning load is allowed to be activated andwhen the space conditioning load is stopped once it reaches a set pointtemperature of the thermostat.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the oneor more climate controlled spaces comprises at least one of a room, aplurality of rooms, a single building, and a plurality of buildings. 3.The method of claim 1, further comprising holding a space conditioningload in an off-state for a predetermined period of time in order tocalculate the heating or cooling ratio of the one or more climatecontrolled spaces.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the spaceconditioning load comprises at least one of an air conditioner, acompressor, a heat pump, a fan, and a furnace.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising sampling a population of climate controlled spaces todetermine an average heating or cooling ratio and using that averageheating or cooling ratio for the population.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising determining the heating or cooling ratio using atleast one of a thermostat and a switch.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising storing the heating or cooling ratio locally atcustomer premise equipment.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprisingreceiving the heating or cooling ratio from across a communicationsnetwork and modifying the heating or cooling ratio with a centralcontroller.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing theheating or cooling ratio locally in memory.
 10. A system for managingenergy of a utility provider, comprising: means for calibrating one ormore climate controlled spaces for a controller by calculating a heatingor cooling ratio for the one or more climate controlled spaces; meansfor determining if an energy surplus exists within a utility system;means for using the one or more climate controlled spaces as energysinks for expending energy according to the heating or cooling ratio ifan energy surplus exists; means for determining if an energy deficitexists; and means for using the one or more climate controlled spaces asenergy sources in which a direct load control algorithm is used toreduce consumption of energy if an energy deficit exists, wherein theheating or cooling (H or C) ratio is governed by the following equation:H or C ratio=(t0+t1)/t2 wherein t0 is a time period between when a setpoint temperature is reached and when a thermostat issues a request to aspace conditioning load, t1 is a time period between when the thermostatissues a request to the space conditioning load and when the spaceconditioning load is allowed to be activated, and t2 is a time periodbetween when the space conditioning load is allowed to be activated andwhen the space conditioning load is stopped once it reaches a set pointtemperature of the thermostat.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein theone or more climate controlled spaces comprises at least one of a room,a plurality of rooms, a single building, and a plurality of buildings.12. The system of claim 10, further comprising means for holding a spaceconditioning load in a off-state for a predetermined period of time inorder to calculate the heating or cooling ratio of the one or moreclimate controlled spaces.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the spaceconditioning load comprises at least one of an air conditioner, acompressor, a heat pump, a fan, and a furnace.
 14. The system of claim10, further comprising allowing an energy deficit to build up in the oneor more climate controlled spaces in accordance with the heating orcooling ratio.
 15. A system for managing an energy supply for a utilityprovider comprising: a central controller comprising a central loadcontrol module, the central load control module operable for:calibrating one or more climate controlled spaces by calculating aheating or cooling ratio for the one or more climate controlled spaces;determining if an energy supply surplus exists within the system; if anenergy supply surplus exists, then start using the one or more climatecontrolled spaces as energy sinks for expending energy according to theheating or cooling ratio; a communications network coupled to thecentral controller; customer premise equipment coupled to thecommunications network; and a space conditioning load coupled to thecustomer premise equipment and to the one or more climate controlledspaces, wherein the heating or cooling (H or C) ratio is governed by thefollowing equation:H or C ratio=(t0+t1)/t2 wherein t0 is a time period between when a setpoint temperature is reached and when a thermostat issues a request to aspace conditioning load, t1 is a time period between when the thermostatissues a request to the space conditioning load and when the spaceconditioning load is allowed to be activated, and t2 is a time periodbetween when the space conditioning load is allowed to be activated andwhen the space conditioning load is stopped once it reaches a set pointtemperature of the thermostat.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thespace conditioning load comprises at least one of an air conditioner, acompressor, a heat pump, a fan, and a furnace.
 17. The system of claim15, wherein the energy supply comprises electrical energy.
 18. Thesystem of claim 15, further comprising memory within the customerpremise equipment for storing the heating or cooling ratio locally. 19.The system of claim 15, wherein the central load control module receivesthe heating or cooling ratio from across the communications network, thecentral load control module modifying the heating or cooling ratio. 20.The system of claim 19, further comprising memory within the customerpremise equipment for storing the heating or cooling ratio locally.